WORCESTER Wanderers were left with plenty to ponder as they began the new year with a surprise 15-7 defeat to lowly Avonmouth Old Boys at Weston Fields on Saturday.
Director of rugby Stuart James would have been hoping to watch his side pick up from where they left off following an impressive start to their National Three South West campaign.
But, instead, the first game of 2014 ended up being a frustrating afternoon for Wanderers as Avonmouth held firm and took their chances when they came.
The hosts did take the lead, though, as they responded to an early penalty to score the first try of the encounter. Brad Cook snatched an Avonmouth line-out before a driving maul saw Tom Dodge power over, which Tom Biggs coolly converted from the touchline.
But Wanderers were unable to add to this as their decision to kick for touch rather than go for goal failed to materialise. They also suffered a blow when Chris Griffiths was carried off with a suspected broken leg.
This was then followed by a converted try which came against the run of play to edge the visitors 10-7 in front at half-time.
Things went from bad to worse for Worcester at the start of the second period as two yellow cards saw them go down to 14 men before Avonmouth forced their way over the whitewash.
Wanderers struggled to find a way back after the try as Avonmouth dominated proceedings, while their defence continued to stand up to the task.
Worcester’s miserable day at the office was then completed when Biggs failed to land a late long-range penalty which would have at least salvaged a losing bonus point.